Telegraphic selecting apparatus



April 25, 1950 (5. SIM

TELEGRAPHIC szuscwms APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 31, 1947mvsmoa GORDON $1M BYE/ M 7 ATTORNEY Filed May 31, 19.47 5 smu -sheet 2FIG.2

INVENTOR GORDON SIM ATTORNEY April 25, 1950 a. SIM 2,505,153

TELEGRAPHIC SELECTING APPARATUS Filed May 31, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENTOR GORDON SIM ATTORNEY April 25, 1950 s 2,505,153

TELEGRAPHIC SELECTING APPARATUS BYfv'y ATTORNEY April 25, 1950 G. SIM2,505,153

TELEGRAPHIC SELECTING APPARATUS Filed May 31, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR GORDON SIM ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 25, 1950 TELEGRAPHICSELECTING APPARATUS Gordon Sim, Chicago, Ill., assignor to TeletypeCorporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application May31, 1947, Serial No. 751,505

7 Claims. 1

The present invention pertains to printing telegraph apparatus and moreparticularly to improvements in permutation code controlled selectingdevices.

The primary object of the invention is to provide means for facilitatingthe selective operations of a permutation code selecting device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a code controlledselecting device having coded elements which are readily demountable onand interchangeable with respect to the selectable members.

A further object of the invention is to provide a selectively directablebail instrumentality operable upon selective groups of elements.

Still another object is to provide novel means for checking operatingrange and orientation of the code selecting device of the presentinvention.

Many feature included in the disclosure of the present application arealso disclosed in one of the following copending applications; namelySerial No. 739,747 filed April 7, 1947 by W. J. Zenner, or Serial No.786,171 filed November 15, 1947 by G. G. Keyes. The structure accordingto the present invention is particularly adapted for use with automatictransmission control in connection with preliminary collection ofweather or other information over a telegraph communication system, suchas disclosed in the copending application of G. G. Keyes. Control of thesystem shown in said copending application is provided by the controlequipment of the present invention located at the primary switchingcenter or master control station on the loop circuit. Said system alsoutilizes the selector mechanism disclosed herein at each way station,which mechanism is always connected to the line and surveys theinformation passing over the line.

A particular adaptation of the embodiment of the invention shown is inair trafiic control systems wherein it is contemplated that weatherinformation shall be collected hourly, at which times transmission ofsuch information, which has been previously prepared on perforated tape,

from each station will occur automatically under I the control of themaster control station in predetermined order in response to theoperation of a switch at the master control station. The apparatus ateach secondary or way station is arranged to read the signalstransmitted over the line from the primary station, and since each waystat on apparatus is responsive to its own station i entificat on groupof codes, the selected way station w ll resp nd to these codes and starttransmission of the data contained in the perforated tape at the waystation (for example, the weather information). At the end of the data(or weather information) transmission, codes are transmitted by the waystation which are recognized by the primary or master control unit,which is also of the type according to the present invention, for thepurpose of starting the transmission of actuating codes for the next waystation to be called in. This cycle will be repeated until the lastselected way stat on has reported, whereupon an appropriate signal,which is contained in the loop of tape, is transmitted from the primaryor central station, the effect of which is to shut down the apparatus atthe central station.

A better understanding of the invent on may be had from the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein;

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the control unit;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the control unit showing theselector mechanism;

Figs. 3 and 3A are views showing the main shaft clutch mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a top view of the control unit;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on line 55 of Fig.1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmental cross sect onal view showing the correspondingportion of Fig. 5 in an operated position;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the gate;

Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are fragmental sectional views and front elevation,respectively, showing features of the pivoted bail and the signaltesting device;

Figs. 11 and 12 are fragmental views illustrating the sixth vane controlmechanism;

Fig. 13 is a detail view of the pivoted bail member;

Fig. 14 is a view of an alternate form of latch lever releasing means;and

Fig. 15 is a circuit diagram showing an alternate form of signal testingdevice.

Having reference to the draw ngs, the control unit according to theinvention comprises a structure which is composed of side plates II andI2, and a plural ty of cross-bars hereinafter specifically referred to,which are secured to the side plates to form a rigid framework for thearrangement of the mechanism for achieving the vario s obiects andfunctions of the invent on. Referring to Fi 2, there is mounted on theoutside of s de p ate H of the aforesaid structure (also shown on theleft side of the apparatus, as viewed in Fig. 1) is a selectormechanism, generally indicated as I3, which is responsive to receivedcode combinations of signaling impulses. The selector mechanism I 3 isof the type shown in United States Patent No. 1,745,633 granted February4, 1930, to S. Morton et al., and comprises a selector magnet Ill whichis connected in the line circuit and controls an armature I5. Magnet I4is supported on a bracket is carried on a selector mounting plate ll.Plate I! is held in spaced relation with side plates II by suitablespacing elements I 8.

The selector mechanism I3; comprises a set of five selector elements inthe form of thin flat fingers I9 arranged in substantial overlappingrelation between suitable guide plates 2 I. These plates 2| are mountedon studs 22' and spaced by washers (not shown). The circular rear endsof the fingers or swords I9 engage corresponding sockets 23 in acorresponding series of thin fiat bell cranks 24 pivoted on a commonshaft 25.. Individual springs 26 normally hold the bell cranks andselector swords into the position shown in Fig. 2 with the pointed rearend of the bell cranks 24 in contact with a cam barrel 28 on shaft 29which is driven continuously through interconnecting gears 3| and 32 andcross shaft 33 by a properly regulated motor (not shown), the drivingconnection between the shaft 29 and the cam barrel 28 being establishedthrough friction clutches 34 and 35 (Fig. 1).

The cam barrel 28 is provided with a helically arranged series of cams35, one for each of the bell cranks 24, which rotates the bell cranks El (five in-the present instance) in succession and thus reciprocateslongitudinally the succession of. selector swords {9 as the cam barrel23 is rotated. In addition to the longitudinal movement, the selectorswords I9 have a lateral pivoting movement between a pair of stops 31.

The setting of any selector sword I9 either to its right-hand or to itsleft-hand position is determined by the selector magnet I 4. The magnetarmature I5 is fixed to a flutter lever 38 which ispivoted on a studshaft 39 carried in the. mounting plate I'I. Mounted on a pivot shaft 4|adjustably positioned and adjacent to, and in cooperative relation withthe flutter lever 38 is a selector lever 42. Lever d2 terminates at itsfree end in a U-shaped portion 43 having downwardly extending arms 44and 45 which constitute abutments which cooperate with arms it: and d!on the rear end oi the selector swords I9 and act to position the latterin either a righthand or left-hand position. The several swords 19. actthrough a corresponding number, of rocker levers 48, arranged betweenthe guide plates 2! and pivotally mountedon a stud shaft 49, to positiona set of notched members 5|. Levers 48 are pivotally articulated to thebar5I through means comprising the ball shaped ends of the levers 48cooperating with notches 52 in the permutation bars 5I. I n Thepermutation ,bars 5I are slidably carried in a pair of comb guide bars53 and 54 extending from and attached to side plate II. Each of thepermutationbars 5! is provided with a notch whichengages operatively theend of a vane member55 to 50, inclusive. 7

The springs 26 associated with the bell cranks 2.4 normally holdtheselector swords IS in their forward position and in engagement with therocker levers 48, and each permutation bar 5i thus is held in either oneor the other of its two positions according to the position of the asso-4 ciated selector sword is against one or the other of its stops 3?.

As the signal impulses are received, the selector magnet Id which isconnected either direct y in the line or through a line relay, respondsonly to one of the two different electrical conditions comprising thesignals and seizes its armature 55 when a marking impulse is received,am. releases it again when a spacing signal is received, while theselector fingers or swords is are reciprccated successively insynchronism with the signal by the cams 3%} of the spiral series of camson the cam barrel E8. The arms 56 and t7 are thereby brought intocooperative relation with the abut-- ments M and 45 at the correspondingsignal intervals, thereupon setting theselector fingers or swords E9 intheir variant combinations. In practical operation, however, in order toinsure the alignment of abutments M and 35 and arms 46 and d? in theirrespective cooperative positions, limiting stops may be provided for themember d2 analogous to stops 3'1 for the swords IQ. The particularselector mechanism shown in Fig. 1 is of the assisted armature typeshown in United States Patent No. 1,937,376, issued to W. J. Zenner,wherein the armature i5 is assisted to the poles of the magnet It by theaction of star wheel cam SI upon the lever arm 33., and the selectorlever 42 is resiliently connected to the lever arm 38.

As previously mentioned, the normal condition of the line is marking,and hence the line magnet I 4' is normally energized. During the firstline impulse or start interval which is of spacing nature, theelectromagnet is is de-energized, and the movement of the armature leverwhich will be actuated by its spring $2 will cause the set screw 53 toshift the plunger as to initiate operation or rotation of the selectorcam barrel, as clearly described in the aforementioned pat.- ent toZenner. The cycle of operation of the cam barrel 28 thus is initiated.Stop arm 55 is thus released and the cam barrel 28 is permitted torotate one cycle, which cycle is terminated, in a well known manner, bythe reception of a stop impulse.

Thus, as the cam barrel 28 is rotated, the cams 35 act to actuate thebell crank lever 2% counterclockwise (as viewed in Fig. 2) toreciprocate the swords I9, thereby bringing the arm it or ll intocontact with abutments ie or 55 depending upon whether the selectormagnet is has responded to a marking or a spacing condition; the levers24 are actuated clockwise to bring the swords I9 into contact with oneor the other arms 66 or 61 of the rocker lever 48. The rocker levers 48then actuate the permutation bars 5! right, Wardly or leftwardly (asviewed in Fig. 2) according to whether a marking signal or a spacingsignal has been received. As previously mentioned, each of the bars 5!is notched to engage a single vane 55 to 59, inclusive, so that as thebars 5! are selected or actuated permutatively, the respective vanes 55to 59 will be rocked correspondingly.

The vanes .55 to 59 rest in V-shaped grooves or notches formed in a pairof supporting bars 68 (Fig. 5) one in proximity to each of the sideplates II and I2 and are adapted to rock about the V-shaped grooves asfulcrums. As shown in Fig. 5, the vanes are biased to their clockwise orcounterclockwise position by an overcenter- 'ing spring 69 (only onesuch spring being shown in Fig. 5 for the sake of clarity) extendingfrom the upper half of the vane (the lower half being cut away) to aspring ,bar 1I connected to crossbars 12 and 13 extending between andconnected to the side plates II and I2. Mounted on the crossbars 12 and13 by means of screws 14 is a plate 15, the bottom edge of which isnotched to provide limiting stops for the vanes 55 to 59 so that theirextreme clockwise and counterclockwise movements may be definitelydetermined.

Arranged transversely above the vanes 55 to 59 are a plurality ofselectable bars 16 which are pivoted at the rear of the structure (tothe left as viewed in Fig. on a pivot shaft 11 carried on brackets 18mounted on a crossbar 19 extending between and connected to the sideplates II and I2. The selectable bars 16 are provided with apair ofstuds 8i and 82 which are adapted to be engageable by a code element83,. one such element being associated with a selectable bar 1'6. Thecode elements 83 are provided with deep open ended slots 84, and thefree ends of the tines being beveled to permit ready application of thecode element 83 over the studs BI and 82. The upper tine is providedwith a cam bevel 85 which serves to impart pressure upon the stud M tomaintain the code element 83 securely in place. The code elements 83 areprovided on their bottom edges adjacent the vanes 55 to 59 with wardsand notches permutatively arranged according to the symbols orcharacters the particular selectable bar represents. The code elements83 are each provided at the right-hand extremity, as shown in Fig. 5,with a means for receiving the insignia plate 86.

The series of selectable bars 16 are guided vertically in a comb bar 81and are adapted to rest upon a bail 88 which is pivotally mounted on theshaft 11. Individual springs 89 act to bias each of the selectable barsagainst the bail 88, the springs extending from projections 9| on theselectable bars 16 to a spring bar 92 fixed to a. crossbar 93 extendingbetween and connected to the side plates I I and I2. When the selectablebars 16 rest normally upon the bail 88, the wards and notches of thecode elements 83 are held away from the vanes 55 to 59.

The operating means for bail 88 comprises a link 94 pivotally connectedat 95 to the bail 88, the other end of the link 94 being connected at 96to a, bracket 91 carried on a rock shaft 98 journaled in the side platesII and I2. Also secured to the rock shaft 98 is a bracket 99 the outwardend of which is pivotally connected to an eccentric IOI mountedoperatively on the main shaft 29. Thus, as the shaft 29 rotates, theeccentric IOI will, through bracket 99, cause the rock shaft 98 to rockand thus through a toggle action between the bracket 91 and link 94 thebail 88 will be oscillated.

Also carried on the main operating shaft 29 is an eccentric I02 which isconnected to a bracket I03 carried on a second rock shaft I04 journaledin the side plates II and I 2. Rock shaft I04 is provided with adepending bracket I05 which is pivotally connected to a link I05, theother end of the link I06 being pivotally connected to a bail, generallyindicated as I01.

Bail I01 comprises a pair of side members I08 which are pivotallysupported on individual studs II I secured to the side plates I I andI2. Thus, when the main shaft 29 is rotated, the eccentric I02 isreciprocated vertically to impart, through arm I03, a rocking motion torocker shaft I04, which through link I06 oscillates bail I01 backwardlyand forwardly (the right-hand side of the structure shown in Fig. 2being considered the front thereof). Bail I01 also includes a bail bladeII 2 which is mounted on a pair of supports II3 pivotally carried oneach of the side members I08 by means of pivots II4. Carried on pivotsII5 on each of the side members I 08 are a pair of latches II6 which areunited by an inverted U-shaped bar II1 spaced above and substantiallyparallel to the bail blade II2. Then, when the bail I01 is operated,elements I I2,II3, and H6 also move with it. The action of the latch H6and pivoted support of blade II2 will appear hereinafter.

Each of the selectable bars 16 is provided with 9. depending portion II8having a shoulder I I9. Portions I I8 are guided in a comb bar I2I andcertain of the bars 16 are provided with a longer depending portion M8for cooperating with thebar H1 in a manner to be described presently.Cooperating with the shoulder I I9 of bars 18 are a. correspondingseries of pull bars I22 adapted; to rest on a crossbar I23 extendingbetween. and united to side plates II and I2. Pull bars: I22 arepivotally articulated to a, corresponding series of levers I24 throughindividual pivot studs I25 carried on said levers I24. Levers I24 arepivotally mounted on a pivot shaft I 26 carried in a pair of bracketsI21 mounted on the crossbar 93. Levers I24 are provided with dependingarms I28 through which said levers I24 areguided in a comb bar I29secured to a crossbar I3I extending between and connected to the sideplates II and I2. Each of the 'bars I24 is normally biased downwardly byan individual spring I32 distended between a hook I33 on the bar I24 anda spring bar I34 carried on the bottom of the crossbar I3I. Thus, bymeans of springs I32 the bars I24 are normally adapted to rest upon thecrossbar I23. A spring I35 extends between bar I24 and the pull bar I22and normally acts to bias the pull bar I 22 in a clockwise directionabout the stud I25. The pull bars I22 are normally guided in the guidecomb I2 I.

As will presently appear, the code bars 16 upon selection will throughtheir shoulders II9 engage the pull bars I22, whereupon the bail 88 willlift the code bar and the engaged pull bar to thereby pivot the bar I24associated with the operated pull bar I22 about its pivot I26 againstthe action of its individual spring I 32. Associated with each bar I24is a latch member I36 which is one of a series of latch levers pivotallycarried on a pivot rod I31 journaled in the side plates II and I2. Thelatch levers I36 are guided in an upper comb I38 and a lower comb barI39 secured to a cross bar I4I which extends between and is connected tothe side plates II and I2. The latch levers I36 are provided withprojections I42 individual thereto, which are of variable widths tocooperate with the bail blade II2 when it is desired to release shoulderI43 of the latch lever I38 from the hook portion I44 integral with thebar I24. Certain of the latch levers I36 are provided with a lowerextending end I45, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear.

A spring I46 connects the upper end of a latch lever with an associatedblocking lever I41. The series of blocking levers I41 corresponds to theseries of latch levers I36 and is carried pivotally upon a pivot rod I48journaled in the bracket I49 mounted on the crossbar I M The blockinglevers I41 are also guided in the combs I38 and I39.

Each blocking lever I41 is provided adjacent its upper end with: ashoulder II- which in thevertical position of bar I41, as shown in Fig.5, acts to block or" prevent the selection of an associated code bar 16.To enable the selection of a code bar 16 the blocking lever I41associated therewith is swung clockwise about its pivot I48 by thecoaction of stud I52, carried at the lower extremity of lever I41, andcam surface I53 on lever I24. The extension I45 when present on a latchlever I36, cooperates with a cam surface I54 on the lever I24. LeversI24 are guided near their forward end by a guide comb bar I55 secured toa block I56 secured to side plates I I and I2. I

Secured to the upper and lower surfaces of blocks I56 are a pair of barsI51 and I58 which serve as guides for plungers or interponents I59positioned beneath the outer or forward extremities of levers I24. Eachplunger I59 serves to operate a contact assembly I6I associatedtherewith. Contact assemblies I 6| each comprise a pair of contacts I62and IE3, and are secured to a crossbar I64 extending between andconnected to the side plates II and I2.

In Fig. 6 is shown the respective-levers and bars in one of theiroperated positions. The lever 16 is shown in its upward position afterhaving been selected and reciprocated vertically to engage the pull barI22. The pull bar I22 through the stud I25 has raised the lever I 24upwardly so that the cam surface I53 of the lever I24 has cooperatedwith the stud I52 of the blocking lever I 41 to swing or rotate theblocking lever l4? clockwise upon its pivot shaft I48, thus tensioningthe spring I46. The lever I24 has been raised so that its hook portionI44 is in latching engagement with the shoulder I43 of the latch leverI36. The levers I36 and I24 remain in latching engagement through theaction of spring I46.

Since all of the blocking levers normally assume their verticalposition, as shown in Fig. 5, the shoulders I5I of the blocking leversI41 are all in a position to block the rotative or selective movement oftheir respective bars 16, thus precluding the possibility of effecting aselection. Thus, it becomes necessary in order to initiate thesequential selection of the bars I41 in accordance with the codedesignation of the particular station at which the unit isrlocated tomanually actuate one of the blocking levers I41 to its clockwiseposition enabling the selection of the first of the series of bars andto remove the shoulder I5I from the path of the bar 16. Therefore, aninstrumentality herein identified as a gate I65, shown in Fig. 6 andalso shown in detail in Fig. '7, is provided, to be inserted in a slotinthe guide bar I39 in front of its respective blocking lever so thatthe blocking lever I41 is actuated to its clockwise position to move theshoulder I5I out of cooperative relation with the front of the bar 16.

i In Fig. 13 is shown a detailed view of bail member I01, previouslymentioned as comprising side members 968, bail blade H2, supports H3,latches ,5 i6 and. bar I I1. As previously described, bail $01 ispivot-ally carried on studs I I I, and is oscillated by the link I06attached at I10 to the side member I08. Asnmentioned hereinbef ore, thebail blade II2 is *carriedon a pair of supports II3 each of which ispivoted on studs II 4 secured to the side frames I08. Bail blade II2 issuitably notched to cooperate with a pair of latches II6 eachprovidedwith a pair of stepped shoulders I66 and I61. A support H3 and alatch i it comprise: a pairof elements which are attrahently biased by aspring I68 extending therebetween.

Bail blade II2 is adapted to normally engage the shoulder or step I66 oflatch II6 to hold said bail in operative relation with lugs I69 ofcertain latching levers I36. Upon the selective operation of certainselectable lever members 16, the depending arm of I1I thereof, which islonger than the arms H8 at the normal levers 16 will co-act with theinverted U-shaDed bar II1 (which is attached to the latches II6) toactuate latches II6 counterclockwise against the pull of spring I68 todisengage shoulder I65 from bail blade H2, and permit the supports II3,carrying bail blade I I2, to respond to the pull of a spring I12 (whichis slightly stronger than spring I68) to bring the edge thereof intoengagement with the shoulder I61. The bail blade II2 thus is broughtinto operative relation with the lug I42 of the bars I41 when the bailI01 is rotated or rocked in a rightward direction. When the bail I01 isrocked in a counterclockwise or leftward direction the supports H3strike individual eccentric stud members I13 which are so adjusted thatthe movement of the bail I01 causes the supports II3 to be rockedcounterclockwise to engage the blade M2 on shoulder I66. Thus, upon eachoscillation of bail I61, the eccentric stud members I13 undertake toreturn the bail II2 to its position in engagement with shoulder I66, sothat when the ball has been disengaged from the shoulder I66, throughthe selection of predetermined ones of levers 16, and engaged byshoulder I61, the ensuing counterclockwise movement of bail I01 willcause the supports I I3 to strike the stud I13, thereby camming supportsII3 counterclockwise on its pivot II4 to effect the re-engagement ofblade II2 with shoulder I66.

In Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are shown details of the signal testing device,according to the present invention. Having reference to Fig. 8, there issecured to the crossbar MI by means of screws I15 a bracket I16 forsupporting the mechanism for the signal test feature of the invention.The common shaft I48 for the blocking levers I41 is mounted on the endbrackets I49 secured to the crossbar I 4|, as previously described. Thebracket I16 for supporting the signal testing mechanism is located justbeyond and to the rear (as viewed in Fig. 8) of the bracket I43. Theblocking lever I41, shown in Fig. 8, is particularly assigned to the RYcombination (for example, the letter of characters R and Y). Thisblocking lever I41 is connected by a bridge I11 to an adjacent blockinglever I18 which has its lower portion removed or out 01f.

Bracket I16 is provided with a pair of pivot studs I19 and I8I on whichare pivotally supported lever arms I82 and I83, respectively. Lever armI 82 is provided at its free end with plate I84 having a target I85 anda finger piece I86. The target I85 is provided with three colored areas;namely, a red area I81, a green area I68, and a white area I89 viewablethrough an aperture I9I in the front plate I92, Lever arms I02 and I83are normally biased counterclockwise about their pivots by individualsprings I93 and I94, respectively, extending between said lever arms anda laterally directed flange on the bracket I16.

Lever arm I83 is provided with a laterally rected flange I95 whichcooperates with a pair of levers I96 and I91 of similar design mountedon the latch lever shaft I31. Each of the levers I96 and I61 areprovided with springs I46 extendingbetween these levers'I96 and I91 andblocking levers I41, the same as previously, described in connectionwith the latch levers I36. The levers 16 assigned to the R and Ycharacters are each provided with a depending portion I98 comparable toportion II8 of the other levers except that these depending portions I98are not provided with any latch shoulders. Lever arm I83 is providedwith the finger piece 282, as previously mentioned, so that the leverI83 can be manually actuated or rotated around its pivot I8I. Lever I83is provided with a projec tion I99 which cooperates with a stud I52 onthe associated blocking lever I41 so that when the lever I83 is actuatedupwardly or counterclockwise the projection I99 cams the stud I52leftwardly to rotate the blocking lever I41 clockwise about its pivotshaft I48 to bring the shoulder II of the blocking lever out ofalignment or register with the forward end of the selectable lever 16.

As the lever I41 is thus rotated, the special lever I18 is also rotatedtherewith due to the interconnection therebetween by the bridge memberI11., Then, upon the receipt of the R and Y signals, the levers 16corresponding to the R and Y code combination will be selectablyoperated so that the depending projections I98 thereon will operate thelatch II6 through the U-shaped bar 1". Thus, upon receipt of the R and Ysignals, the bail II2 will be actuated from its solid line position tothe dotted line position shown in Fig. 8 whereat it is no longer inalignment with the lug or projection I42 on the levers I96. Therefore,the bail II2 has no efiect upon the RY test mechanism. However, if amis-selection should occur or a character should be received other thanthe R or Y signals, the bail II2 will not be released and in itsoscillating movement the bail blade II2 will co-act with the lug I42 tomove or rotate the lever I96 counterclockwise about its pivot shaft I31so that its lower end will strike the flange I95 of the lever I83 tocause the lever I83 to be rotated clockwise against the action of itsspring I94 to bring the lateral flange I95 into engagement with the nextshoulder or step 28I on the lever I82. Due to this action lever I82 ispermitted to rock or move counterclockwise by its spring I93 to bringthe red area I81 into register with the aperture I9I to impart anappropriate signal to the operator. Furthermore, the lever 183 inrotating clockwise will permit the lever I41 to be rotatedcounterclockwise by its spring I46 to bring the shoulder I5I intovertical alignment with the end of the selectable bar 16 thus preventingfurther selection of the bars 16 of the R and Y signals.

The RY test is therefore completed and may be reset for further RY testsby manipulating the handle extension 282 of the lever I83 to rotate thelever I83 counterclockwise thus bringing the lever I83 into the positionshown in Fig.

handle 282 extending from the lever I83 is manipulated to rotate thelever I83 clockwise, as

viewedin Fig. 8, to bring the flange Iinto engagement with the shoulder283 of the lever I82 whereat the lever I83 is locked or detained againstthe action of its spring I94, and the blocking levers I41 and I18 retaintheir vertical position with the shoulders I5I in vertical alignmentwith the ends of the selectable bars 16. During the RY test, and uponreceipt of a misselection, the lever I83 is actuated clockwise to strikeand operate a plunger 284 which may either control a contact toilluminate a lamp or to ring a bell, in a well known manner.

An alternate form of signal (or RY) test ing device is shown in Fig. 15,which is electrical rather than mechanical. A contact 43I (similar tocontact I62) is associated with the R selector lever (of the series oflevers 16) exemplified by plunger I59 associated therewith, and contact432 is likewise associated with the Y selector lever. Contacts 43I and432 are connected in parallel with a slow-to-release relay 433, so thatthe energizing circuit for relay 433 is completed from battery 434,through the winding of relay 433, and through either contact 43I or 432to ground. Relay 433 controls a contact 435 which is included in acircuit extending from grounded battery 436, through contact 435,through manually operated switch 431, through lamp 438, and throughalarm bell 439 to ground.

In the operation of the alternate form of signal testing device, theswitch 431 (which is normally maintained open) is closed, and the R andY test signals are received, the effect of which is to close contacts43I and 432 alternately. The closing of either contact 43I or 432 willcomplete a circuit for energizin the relay 433. The armature of relay433 will be attracted to open contact 435. Now, so long as contact 435is maintained open, the alarms 438 and 439 are not operating, indicatingthat the sequence of R and Y characters are correctly received, theslow-torelease'relay 433 remaining energized so long as impulses arereceived from contacts 43I and 432. However, if one or more characters Rand Y are omitted (or other characters are interpolated) theslow-to-release relay 433 will de-energize causing contact 435 to closeto give the alarm.

In Figs. 11 and 12 are illustrated the mechanism for controlling thesixth vane 68. The vane 68 is not controlled by a lever 48 (Fig. 2) butis independently controlled in response to code signal combinationsinstead of a signal impulse. However, in the event a six unit code isused, vane '68 will respond to a signal impulse in the same manner asvanes 55 to 59. Associated with the vane 68 are a pair of jaw-likestructures or members 286 and 281 pivotally carried on a shaft 288extendin between the side frames II, and I2. Members 288 and 281 areprovided with diametrically opposite, laterally disposed portions 289and 2 which cooperate with members 2| 2 and 2I3 having abutments 2M and2I5. Mem- "bers 2I2 and 2I3 are each provided with studs or pins 2I6 and2I1 which cooperate with slots 2I8 in the lever I24. The pins 2I6 and2I1 are normally held at the bottom of the slots 2I8 by individualsprings 2I9 extending between the pins 2l6 and a laterally directedportion 22I on the members 2I2 and 2 I3.

Upon the receipt of a shift or unshift code signal the correspondingselectable bar 16 is actuated which through a pull bar I22 causes theassociated lever I24 to be actuated upwardly (counterclockwise as viewedin Fig. 5). This ac- 15 tion of lever I24 imparts through springs 2I9 11 vertical movement to its associated member 212 or 2I3 to bring theabutments 213 and -2I5 against the portions 269 and 2H, respectively.

In the event the abutment 2'I5 strikes the portion 2 the member 266i's'rotatcd clockwise to swing the vane 63 to the position shown'in Fig.11. On the other hand, in the event that the abutment 2M strikes theportion 229 of the member '26! the member 26] is rotatedcounterclockwise to impart reverse rotation to the vane 66 to swing ittothe position opposite to that shown in Fig. 11.

In the general operation of the apparatus shown in Figs. '1 to 7, thecode combinations of signaling impulses are rece ved by the selectormagnet I4 (Fg.2) and are effective through the armature lever I5 and theflutter lever 33 in cooperation with the *flutter cam on the camassembly 26 to actuate the selector lever 42. Upon receipt of the startimpulse which is of spacing nature the magnet I4 is de-energized and theselector lever 42 is actuated to operate the plunger 64, which has beenexpla'ned in the afore-mentioned patent, to initiate rotation of the camassembly 28. During the rotation of the cam assembly 28 the cam lugsthereon sequentially actuate the rocking levers 2A which in turn actuatethe swords IS, which in cooperation with the abutments on the selectorlever '42 operates the T-lever 48 to actuate the selector bars 5Irightwardly or leftwardly in accordance with the signaling impulseconditions. As is explained in the afore-mentioned patent, the camprojection on the cam sleeve 28 which is as the clutch trip-01f camoperates a clutch trip-ofl lever 222 (shown in Figs. 1 and 4). Lever 222is conformed to extend through theside plate II and to be secured to ashaft 268 journaled in the side plates I I and I2. At the opposite endof shaft 238 near side plate member -I2 is secured a clutch releaselever 223.

The main shaft clutch (Figs, 3, 3A, and 4;) indicated generally as 225,is associated with a sleeve-226 fixed to the'main shaft 29, and a sleeve22! freely rotatable about the shaft 29. The sleeve 226 carries integraltherewith a driving clutch'member, and sleeve 22! carries-a drivenclutch member. The driving clutch member com zfrises a pair ofoppositely related ratchet whecls-228 and 229 (Fig. 3) the'teeth of-onebeing staggered with respect to the other. The driven clutch membercomprises adisc '23I integral with the sleeve 22! on which are carrieda. "spring supporting extension 232 and a :pawl :carrying post 233. Apair of springs 234 and 235-are fixed to the extension 232 and normallytend to "move pawls 236 .and 231 individual to them in a direction sothat the pawl teeth will "engage with'the teeth of the ratchet wheels228 and- 229. The teeth of the-pawl are so related to the'ratchet t'eeththat forward movement of the ratchet is imparted through pawl 236 to s1eve 221,and backlash is prevented by pawl "-231; rawi 23-6 is alsoprovided with a stop arm 23'8"Which*is adapted to cooperate with thestop leverj223. Thus, when the pawl arm 23B strikes the stopa-rm 223,the pawl 238 rotates or rocks counterclockwise (as viewed in Fig. 3A)about pivot. 233 thereby disengagin the tooth of pawl "236 fron'rt heratchet 229. Moreover, the disengagement of pawl 236 in thismarinerwilleffe'ct, through a stud 239 (Fig. 3A), the disengagement of'pawl 23'! from ratchet 228.

"-Thus, when the stop arm 223 is actuated to "free the clutch 225 forasingle cycle of rota- 12 tion, the eccentrics HM and I62 are operated.The eccentric I6! when operating, rocks the shaft '96, and through atoggle connection oscillates ball 83 which, upon its downward movementpermits the selectable bars 28 to sense the permutative setting of thevanes 55 to 60. As previously mentioned, the selectable bars 76 areprovided with readily removable and interchangeable code elements 83,which facilitates any desirable arrangement of characters. Theselectable bar 16, which through its coded elements 83 is permitted tobe selected by the vanes, drops farther than the remaining bars to bringits shoulder I -I 9 into engagement with the pull bar I22 if theextremity of bar 16 is not blocked by shoulder I5I. Upon the upwardmovement of bail 68 the selected bar 73 is returned and upon so doing,the pull bar I22 associated therewith is elevated to rock the bar I24counterclockwise.

At this point it should be mentioned that all of the blocking levers I4!are normally in the vertical position shown in Fig. 5 with the shouldersI5! thereon blocking the selective movement of the bars 15.

The apparatus according to the present invention is adapted to respondto a predetermined sequence of code combinations to operate a contact toperform, or to initiate the performance of, a desired function. For eachcode combination of the predetermined sequence there is provided a codebar 76, a selection code element 83 cut for the specific codecombination, a pull bar I22, an operating lever I24, a latching leverI36 and a blocking lever Ml. The blocking lever I47 associated with thefirst code bar in the prede- 0 termined sequence is permanently held outof blockingposition by a gate I 65 (shown in Fig. 7) so as to permit theselection of the first character of the predetermined sequence. Withthis exception, each blocking lever Mlis normally positioned so as toblock its associated code lever I6 and prevent it from operating.Accordingly, a succeeding blocking lever I41 ismoved only when aprevious code combination is a correct onein the predetermined sequence,thus conditioning its associated-codelever 83 and permitting itsoperation by the nextcode combinationin the sequence. The operatinglever I24 when raised by th pull bar I22 associated therewith becomeslatched in its upper position by means of shoulder I43 .of saidlatchihglever I .36.

Each group of code signals pertaining to a particular way stationcomprises conditioning codes followed by theestation identificationletters of theway stationfrpm whichtransmission is desired ifollowed'byfurther conditioning codes. For example, in the system according to thepresent invention, such a group of code signals will comprisethefollowin'g codes: Carriage return, Carriage return, Letters orunshift, A, B,C (orother station identification characters), Space andLettersf Furthermore, the blockinglevers [41 are arranged inaccordancewith this group of code signals and each code lever 83 is identified byits identification plate 86. ,The gate I65 is inserted, as shown in Fig.6, to hold the first blocking Elever I41, which initiates thepredetermined sequence/in its unblockin-g position. Thereforaivhentheyoperating lever I24 associated with Said first bloc-king lever M7 isactuated upwardly, it fwill'move the'pin I52 of the second or succeedingblecki'ng lever and operate that blocking lever clockwiseto the positionshown in Fig. 6. Thus, the second blocking lever is controlled 'by thecam surface I53 of the first character operating lever I24 of thesequence 13 or of the operating lever associated with the first codebar. After the first code bar is actuated by the first combination ofthe sequence it will move the blocking lever associated with the secondbar out of its blocking position to permit the second code bar tooperate should the proper code combination for the second bar bereceived. If the second code combination received is the proper one, thesecond one of code bar I6 in the sequence will move down to latch withits corresponding pull bar I22, and the same operation takes place aswas described for the first code combination. That is, the second barI24 will condition the device for the selection of the third, etc. Thesubsequent selections of the predetermined sequence proceed in a similarmanner. If the sequence of incoming code combinations correspond exactlyto the predetermined sequence of code bars, then their associated leverswill operate successively to ultimately close certain contacts IBI whichcontrol primary station equipment. The bail blade I I2 at the propertime in the operating cycle unlatches the bar I24 and latching leversI36 of the preceding selection, thus making the selector code levers I6responsive to the next code combination of the sequence.

Contacts I62 and I 63 are operated by the movement of plungers I59released by their associated operating levers I24. Normally the plungersI59 are held down by the operating levers I24. When an operating leverI24 is moved upwardly by a pull bar I22, the plunger I59 moves upwardand permits the upper contact I62 to be closed. Contacts I62 are heldclosed so long as their associated lever I24 is latched up by a latchinglever I36. In the present embodiment of the invention, two means forunlatching the latch levers I36 are provided. The first means comprisesthe stripper bail I I2 which may be actuated to either of two positionsto cooperate with projections I 69 and/or I42 on the latch levers I36.Thus, only those latch levers I36 which are provided with projections orlugs I69 and I42 are unlatchable by stripper bail H2. The second meanscomprises an extension I45 (Fig. 14) on certain of the latching leversI36 instead of providing a projection I69 or I42 thereon, so that theunlatching function occurs in the next succeeding cycle instead of thesame cycle, thereby permitting the contact I62 to remain closed for agreater length of time. The extension I45 is adapted to cooperate withthe cam surface I54 of the adjacent operating lever I24, as shown inFigs. and 14. According to the specific embodiment of the presentinvention, the pivoted bail I01 acts to open the locked contact I62 inthe secondary or way station units, and extension I45 functions to openthe latched contact at the primary or master control station. Also, atthe primary station the blank code signal serves as a universal signalto open all previously closed contacts simultaneously.

As previously mentioned, in the selection of a secondary or way station,the proper condition, select and lock codes of the selected way stationare transmitted from the master or primary station, and moreover, theway station equipment has facilities for recognizing these codes.However, in certain instances it is desirable to vary the conditioncodes without altering their effect upon the way station equipment. Forexample, under certain conditions of operation the condition codestransmitted are Carriage return, Carriage return, Letters; while underother conditions of operation the condition codes are Carriage return,Figures, Letters, both conditionfcodes having the same effect upon theway station code recognition equipment. To achieve this result, certainadjacent blocking levers I47 are tied together by a bridge member III,as exemplified by Figs. 8 and 9, which are removably insertable innotches I40 in said blocking levers I41. Thus, the series of levers I6allotted to the condition codeshave insignia plates 86 marked CR, CR,FIG, LET, with the adjacent CR and FIG blocking levers I47 tiedtogether, so that the same result is achieved whether the conditioncodes are CR, CR, LET, or CR, FIG, LET. Of course, other combinations ofcodes may be utilized, and locked together differently. As indicated inFigs. 1, 5, and 6, the operating levers I24 are also each provided witha notch I50 for receiving a bridge member I66 for utilization in amanner similar to that just described.

A feature of the selector mechanism according to this invention is itsreadiness at all times to respond to a predescribed sequence even thoughpreceded immediately by a random incomplete predescribed sequence, byvirtue of the fact that the code bar for the first character of thesequence is unblocked by the gate I65 and is always sensing the vanes tostart a new sequence. As will be apparent hereinafter, a predeterminedgroup of code combinations, herein identified as the unlock code group,will activate the primary or central controlling equipment in theordinary manner to start transmission of the actuating codes for thenext way station.

What is claimed is:

1. In a code controlled selecting device, signal responsive means,rockable selector vanes selectively positioned under control of saidmeans, a

plurality of selectable members positioned for movement toward and awayfrom said vanes, each of said members provided with a pair-of spacedmounting studs, and coded elements hav ing permutably arranged wards andnotches cooperable with said vanes, said coded elements provided withresilient bifurcations terminating in confronting cam portions wherebysaid coded elements are detachably mounted on said studs for cooperationwith said vanes.

2. In a code controlled selecting device, signal responsive means, aseries of rockable selector vanes selectively positioned under thecontrol of said means, a plurality of members arranged for selectableoperation under control of said vanes, means for normally blocking theselection of said members, means for conditioning said blocking means tofacilitate selection of certain ones of said members in response topredetermined signals, means responsive to other than said predeterminedsignals to restore said blocking means to blocking condition, andcondition indicating means controlled by said conditioning means andsaid restoring means.

3. In a code controlled selecting device, signal responsive means, aseries of rockable selector vanes selectively positioned under thecontrol of said means, a plurality of members arranged for selectableoperation under control of said vanes, means for normally blocking theselection of said members, means for manually unblocking said blockingmeans to enable the selective response of said members, a pluralposition bail member efiective under one condition of operation tocontrol the continued response of said members and under anothercondition of operation to discontinue the selective response of saidmembers, and means associated with certain of 'said members to determinethe effectiveness of said bail member.

4. In a code controlled selecting device, signal responsive means, aseries of elements selectively positioned under the control of saidmeans, a plurality of members arranged for selectable operation undercontrol of said elements, means for normally blocking the selection ofsaid members, means for conditioning said blocking means to facilitateselection of certain ones of saidmembers in response to predeterminedsignals, a plural position bail member effective under one condition ofoperation to control the continued response of said members to saidpredetermined signals and under another condition of operation todiscontinue the selective response of said members, and means associatedwith said certain ones of said members to determine the" effectivenessof said bail member.

5. In a code controlled selecting device, signal responsive means, aseries of elements selectively positioned under the control of saidmeans, a plurality of members arranged for selectable operation undercontrol of said elements, means for normally blocking the selection ofsaid members, means for conditioning said blocking means to facilitateselection of certain ones of said members in response to predeterminedsignals, a pivoted bail member effective under one condition ofoperation to control the continued response of said members to saidpredetermined signals and under another condition of operation todiscontinue the selective response of said members, and conditionindicating means controlled by said conditioning means and Said pivotedbail member.

6. In combination, selecting means responsive to received permutationcode combinations" of signaling impulses, a group ofv elementscontrolled by said selecting means, members adapted to be 16 selected bysaid elements, a series of operating levers having individualinstrumentalities adapt ed to be operably engaged by said members,individual latches for said operatinglevers, bars for determining theselectability of'said members, means for aifording access to sequentialresponse by said determining bars, whereby reception of code signalcombinations in a predetermined order is recognized by said determiningbars, and a plural position bail member effective under control of saidelements to act upon said latches according to groups depending upon thedetermining bars actuated.

'7. In a code controlled selecting device, signal responsive means, aseries of elements selectively positioned under the control of saidmeans, a plurality of members arranged for selectable operation undercontrol of said elements, means for normally blocking the selection ofsaid members, means for manually unblocking said block ing means toenable the selective response of said members, a plurality ofinterponents adapted to coact with said unblocking means, and a pluralposition bail member effective under one condition of operation tocontrol the continued response of said members and under anothercondition of operation to discontinue through said interponents theselective response of said members.

GORDON SIM.

REFERENCES CPI'ED V The following references are of record in the file.of this patent;

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,183,022 .Krum et. al.. Dec. 12,1939 2,262,471 Shoenberg Nov. 11, 1941 2,293,093 Zenner, Aug. 13, 1942

